Madam Speaker, I said that the minister lied.
House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 2025, with 61% of the vote.
Online News Act June 20th, 2023
Madam Speaker, I said that the minister lied.
Online News Act June 20th, 2023
Oh, that is such a lie.
Online News Act June 20th, 2023
Which failed.
Online News Act June 20th, 2023
Just answer my question.
Online News Act June 20th, 2023
Why do you not answer the question? Just answer the question.
Online News Act June 20th, 2023
Madam Speaker, the minister has disingenuously stated that the bill is about helping local newspapers, when, in fact, the Parliamentary Budget Officer, who is a non-partisan figure of this place, has reported that with the bill, the tune of 75%, the funding would go toward CBC, Bell Media and Rogers. These are the three big broadcasters. I would ask the minister this. Does that sound like newspapers to him, because it sure does not to me?
To the point from the hon. member who went before me, for our local newspapers in ridings like Lethbridge, where we have towns like Picture Butte, Coaldale or Coalhurst that are trying to make a go of it with one journalist, the bill would leave them out in the cold. There are hundreds, if not thousands, across the country that are in a similar boat. Does that sound like supporting local news to the minister?
Online News Act June 19th, 2023
Madam Speaker, I was part of leading the charge on the debate with regard to Bill C-18, the online news act, and the bill was scheduled for debate tonight. A whole host speakers from all parties were prepared to speak to it. With only a moment's notice, that debate was cut short.
I would have the House know that this has happened in the past at second reading of the bill—
Online News Act June 19th, 2023
Madam Speaker, the member for the NDP just stated that the NDP brought forward a motion asking that there be allowance for news outlets with 1.25 or 1.5 full-time employees to be considered. I am curious if one person would be doing the work of 1.25, 1.5 or 1.75 full-time employees. They would not. Two journalists would work that amount of time.
My point still stands. This bill is designed such that, if an outlet has fewer than two journalists, it would not be considered.
To correct the record for the member, because I am sure he would not want to mislead anyone, it was Conservatives who brought forward a motion calling for a minimum of one journalists and for an outlet to be considered based on that premise. The NDP voted against that common-sense Conservative motion asking for the consideration of outlets with only one journalist.
The NDP insisted that there be a minimum of two. Whether those are two people splitting one full-time job or two people splitting one and a half jobs, I guess that is up to the outlet. Nevertheless, there have to be two individuals for the outlet to be considered. That is just not the case in so many of these local regions.
Further to that, I will just raise that this is rather rich for the NDP members. They are socialists. They very much like to complain that people are not making enough wealth. They like to see government handouts and things of that sort. Their arguing that two journalists should split a job that is one full-time job or one and a half full-time jobs is rather concerning to me. I was advocating that there be two journalists, each with full-time wages.
Online News Act June 19th, 2023
He will censor it, he said. That is true. That is exactly what will happen.
Madam Speaker, this is your House. I will let you bring it to order.
Online News Act June 19th, 2023
He probably will not. That is what he said.